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Hillcrest Washington Youth Home, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that offers unique and innovative programs to support the positive development of children in our communities. Emergency shelter and residential services are available to children and adolescents, ages 10 through 21 years of age, who need out of home placement.

In 1871, a private residence built in 1849, was deeded to Vanderburgh County to use as an orphanage. This facility was named Hillcrest.

In 1952, Vanderburgh County constructed the new Hillcrest and Washington buildings to be used as residential care facilities for youth and operated by the Vanderburgh County Department of Public Welfare.

In 1986, a change in Indiana law required that all county welfare departments become part of the State Welfare Department. The State Welfare Department did not operate facilities, so the Vanderburgh County Commissioners put out a request to the community for agencies interested in operating the Hillcrest and Washington facilities.

Organized in 1984, Hillcrest and Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Foundation, Inc.,(Foundation) presented a proposal to the county commissioners and was chosen to manage the facilities. In June 1987, the Foundation officially began operating the facilities.

The Hillcrest facility began operating as a residential and emergency shelter facility for all children and became, what is known today, as Hillcrest Washington Youth Home, Inc. Over the years, the Washington Building served as a facility for the Christa McAuliffe Alternative Middle School, the Learning Center and the office of the Child Sexual Abuse Agency Coordination Task Force. Today, the Washington facility houses Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare’s partial hospitalization program for children.

Through the years, major renovations to both facilities have been made to provide a safe and comfortable setting for children. Thanks to continued support from our community, Hillcrest is able to provide needed services for children to enhance their quality of life and to provide them with opportunities to develop skills that will stay with them throughout their lives.

In 1993 Hillcrest Washington Youth Home was left an endowment from Alfred E. Orth. Judge Lensing created a court order to oversee the funds and the administration of those funds to ensure that the intent of the endowment was upheld.

Per the court order, the primary purpose of the trust “is to provide a benefit to the children who are or have been residents of the Hillcrest Washington Youth Home. This purpose shall be fulfilled by providing an opportunity for education and training that might not otherwise be available to them.”

All current or past residents of Hillcrest Washington Youth Home are eligible to receive funding for educational purposes; having to have stayed at least one (1) overnight.

The applicant should complete the appropriate application and submit the completed document along with a copy of a photo ID and Social Security card to the Executive Director for processing. The Advisory Committee will meet and make an appropriate decision regarding the request made by the applicant.